The highest grossing tour of all time, using structural design to give audiences more
// 2009
// Show
// UK, USA, Europe
Thanks to an innovative superstructure inspired by the LAX Theme Building, the band could perform ‘in the round’. Standing 48 metres tall on four cactus-like legs, this spider-like superstructure featured a glowing radio mast, suspended speakers and a huge circular video wall, which telescoped downwards into a multi-screen mosaic.
The Space Station’s 190-tonne superstructure spanned 64 metres between bases, its roof reaching a height of 30 metres and 51.8 metres to the tip of its pylon. This structure was designed for two purposes: to raise and hold all the technical equipment above the band’s performance space; and to allow the band free-roaming access to the main stage and B stage, with uninterrupted sight-lines around the stadium.
The technical issues began with strength: the total production load was 176 tonnes, almost as much as the structure itself. The weight of the video screen alone was 32 tonnes, essential for the half-a-million RGB pixels to come alive for the audience.
Technical details
// Opened to a capacity crowd of 90,000 people at Camp Nou, Barcelona, on 30 June 2009
// Now a permanent installation at Salt Lake City’s Living Planet Aquarium
Credits
Show Director Willie Williams Producer Live Nation Production Manager Jake Berry Creative Consultants Morleigh Steinberg, Gavin Friday Lighting Design Willie Williams Costume Design Sharon Blankson Sound Design Joe O’Herlihy Video Design & Animation Treatment Studio Staging Supplier TAIT, StageCo
